COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOTEBOOK

Published: September 6, 2003

Rod Rutherford, the starting quarterback for No. 10 Pittsburgh, was charged with assault yesterday after he was accused of kicking out a car window and assaulting a woman outside a nightclub in Pittsburgh.

Rutherford forced his way into the car early Monday morning after a 19-year-old woman refused his advances, the police said. Rutherford got out of the car and grabbed the woman through a partly opened window, causing her to hit her head and face, the police said.

As the woman drove away, Rutherford kicked out a window, the police said.

Rutherford, who was charged with indecent assault, simple assault and criminal mischief, has disputed the woman's account, saying she threw a glass at him in the parking lot. Calls to his lawyer, James Wymard, were not immediately returned yesterday.

The charges came one day after Coach Walt Harris said Rutherford violated team rules and would not be the starter for Pitt's opener today against Kent State, though he will play. Harris did not say Thursday if additional action would be taken if charges were filed.

Auburn's Fresh Start

For obvious reasons, 17th-ranked Auburn is approaching today's game at Georgia Tech as if it were the start of a new year. In reality, the Tigers already have a defeat, a 23-0 loss to Southern California last week.

For a team expected to contend for a national title, it was a reality check.

Despite a heralded running game, Auburn had more passing yards than rushing yards against the Trojans. Coach Tommy Tuberville insists he will go to the air again against Georgia Tech (0-1).

''Our philosophy going into this season, knowing we were going to see a lot of eight-man and nine-man fronts, was to prove we can throw the football,'' Tuberville said. ''If we can't, we're going to see that every week.''